WrestleMania 41 has come and gone, and it’s time to dive into the details of the two-night spectacle that left fans buzzing. Let’s break down the highlights, surprises, and what we can expect moving forward in the WWE universe.
Night One: A Mixed Bag of Matches
Starting with Night One, I must admit I found it to be quite average. The opening match featuring Gunther and Jey Uso didn’t grab my attention as much as I hoped. From the moment Jey Uso became champion at the Royal Rumble, I had my doubts about how the storyline would unfold. WWE placed this match first, perhaps to allow the audience to forget about it by the end of the night.
Although the match was better than their previous encounter against Jamie Uso, it still felt lacklustre. Jey Uso attempted to showcase his wrestling skills, using fewer superkicks than usual and incorporating more moves into his repertoire. It was decent, but I can’t say I have high hopes for his reign as the Undisputed Champion. While many fans adore him, I see him more as an entrance king—his style and merchandise sell well, but in-ring performances leave me wanting more.
Main Event: Triple Threat Match
Moving on to the main event, the Triple Threat match featuring Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, and CM Punk was the highlight of the night. I was quite surprised by the dynamics of this match. Roman Reigns felt out of place, as the storyline leading up to this moment didn’t seem to justify his inclusion. The build-up had initially focused on Seth Rollins and CM Punk, but due to Punk’s injury, the narrative shifted to accommodate Reigns.
WWE cleverly utilized Paul Heyman in this storyline. At first, I thought the character switch was forced, but it made sense as they tied it back to CM Punk’s history with Heyman. The match itself was nearly a five-star affair, with all three wrestlers giving it their all. However, the stakes felt low; it didn’t have that gripping tension you’d expect from a main event. I was invested in the storyline, even though I don’t regularly watch Raw and SmackDown.
The unexpected ending, where Seth Rollins demanded a favour from Paul Heyman, was a twist I didn’t see coming, and it was executed well. Rollins is one of my favourite wrestlers, alongside Finn Balor, and I’m eager to see how this storyline develops.
Night Two: A Stronger Showing
Night Two kicked off with a bang as Bianca Belair faced Rhea Ripley. I was not expecting this match to be as good as it turned out to be. Belair was phenomenal in the ring, showcasing her strength and agility against Ripley. The suspense built throughout the match was palpable, especially during the finisher sequences. It was a fantastic way to open the night, delivering everything you’d want from a WrestleMania opener.
Interestingly, Io Sky retaining her title added another layer to the storyline. Although I thought Bianca might take the win, Sky’s short title run is intriguing, especially given the fan reception. It’s clear that the WWE is taking their time with her character development.
Other Matches: Highs and Lows
As we moved through Night Two, there were a few matches that felt somewhat forgettable. The street fight between Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre lacked the intensity you’d expect from such a stipulation. Nowadays, street fights seem more like set pieces than genuine brawls. I long for the old-school feel where a street fight meant blood and chaos, not just a scripted performance.
AJ Styles’ storyline with Logan Paul was interesting but felt like a filler. The fatal four-way match featuring Penta and Dominic was exciting, and I’m glad to see Dominic getting the push he deserves. He has a lot of potential and could go far in the WWE if given the right opportunities.
The Main Event: John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes
Now, let’s discuss the main event: John Cena versus Cody Rhodes. This match had a lot of hype, and I was eager to see how it unfolded. Cena, at this stage in his career, doesn’t wrestle with the same energy he once did. He’s cautious, likely due to his busy schedule and the need to avoid injuries.
While Cena is a legend, I felt his performance was not at the level we expect from a WrestleMania main event. The match had good moments, but it lacked the fluidity that we associate with Cena’s earlier bouts. The heel turn at the end was unexpected and intriguing, especially as it marked a new chapter for him as a champion.
Looking Ahead: Cena’s Title Reign
As for Cena’s title reign, I’m curious about how he will present himself as champion. The build-up to this feud felt underwhelming, lacking the intensity and personal stakes that make rivalries memorable. Cena needs to engage more with Rhodes, creating a more compelling narrative moving forward.
Will Cena continue to wrestle full-time, or will he revert to part-time appearances? The WWE has a lot riding on this title run, and I hope they capitalise on Cena’s star power to create engaging storylines. It’ll be interesting to see how they navigate the dynamics of his character and the title.
Final Thoughts
Overall, WrestleMania 41 was a mixed bag. While there were standout moments and matches, some aspects left me feeling unsatisfied. The storytelling has its ups and downs, and I hope WWE takes the feedback from this event to heart as they move forward.
I’m excited to see how the storylines evolve, especially with Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman, as well as John Cena’s reign as champion. The potential is there, and I hope WWE can deliver some exciting content in the coming weeks.
Until next time, let’s keep the discussions going about what we want to see in the WWE universe!
